Ukraine does not want to become part of Russia for several historical, political, and cultural reasons:
### 1. **Historical Sovereignty and Identity**:
Ukraine has a distinct national identity, language, and culture, which it has been developing for centuries, separate from Russia. While Ukraine and Russia share some historical ties, including periods of overlapping governance (e.g., during the Russian Empire and Soviet Union), many Ukrainians view their country as a sovereign state with its own trajectory. Efforts to maintain independence date back to the early 20th century, and Ukraine declared itself an independent state in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, solidifying its status as a separate nation.
### 2. **Political Independence and Democracy**:
Ukraine has pursued a more democratic political system compared to Russia's centralized and authoritarian governance. The country experienced pivotal democratic movements such as the 2004 Orange Revolution and the 2014 Euromaidan, both of which were reactions against Russian influence and corruption in the Ukrainian government. These movements emphasized the desire for closer ties with Europe and a rejection of Russian control over Ukraine’s political future.
### 3. **Military Aggression and Annexation**:
Russia’s actions, such as the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for separatist movements in Eastern Ukraine, have created a deep sense of mistrust and animosity among Ukrainians. The ongoing war in the Donbas region and the full-scale invasion in 2022 have further solidified the view that Russia poses an existential threat to Ukrainian sovereignty. These actions have been widely condemned by the international community and have only reinforced Ukraine’s determination to resist integration with Russia.
### 4. **Desire for European Integration**:
Since its independence, Ukraine has been striving for integration with European institutions, such as the European Union and NATO. This desire is not just political but is also based on economic development, human rights, and the rule of law, which many Ukrainians associate with a Western-aligned trajectory rather than a Russian-led one. Aligning with Russia would undermine these aspirations and derail Ukraine’s efforts to establish itself as a prosperous European democracy.
### 5. **Cultural and Linguistic Distinction**:
Ukraine has its own language, Ukrainian, which is distinct from Russian, and efforts to promote and preserve it are central to its identity. While Russian is still spoken by a segment of the population, especially in the east and south, Ukrainian national identity has strengthened in opposition to Russia’s military and political actions. Efforts by Russia to undermine Ukrainian language and culture, such as through propaganda or attempts to claim that Ukrainians and Russians are "one people," are widely rejected by most Ukrainians.
### 6. **Historical Trauma and Soviet Legacy**:
Many Ukrainians remember the suffering and repression experienced under Soviet rule, such as the Holodomor, a man-made famine in the 1930s that resulted in millions of Ukrainian deaths. This historical trauma contributes to a strong resistance against re-integration with Russia and a fear of losing hard-won independence.
In essence, Ukraine’s resistance to becoming part of Russia is driven by a combination of a strong sense of national identity, a desire for political independence, cultural and historical distinctions, and a determination to pursue its own future as a democratic and European nation.
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